My sweet boy has ADHD w/ SI...

by Dawn Bryant
(Nevada)

I didn't understand why he was so clumsy or why certain things caused him to fall apart. I just picked him up and hugged him until he stopped crying. My son was labeled a trouble maker, lazy, antisocial and was targeted by one teacher as her personal screaming board. I had enough at that point and pulled him out of school to home school him.

That's when we met a wonderful teacher who asked me if my son had ever been tested for ADHD or ADD. At first I was totally offended, "my son is perfect just the way he is and I don't want him labeled" I said. She was understanding and we moved forward with his school plan. After three weeks of being my son;s teacher I realized he needed more help than I could give him. That's when I called his homeschool teacher and we made a plan.

My son was diagnosed with ADHD and Sensory Integration Disorder. His symptoms were classic, yet not one public school teacher ever bothered to have a talk with me about these issues. They just all decided to label him a trouble maker. All they had to do was fill out one piece of paper then he would have gotten help. Who was the "lazy" one then?

Things are not perfect with my boy but at least now I have tools and resources to deal with problems when they arise. I have seen great progress in my son and have nothing but hope for his future....

Comments for My sweet boy has ADHD w/ SI...

My son is allergic to casein, turkey, beef, EGGS!, chicken and pork. The only meat protein he can eat is lamb, game meats ie venison or elk, and duck. Luckily we are a hunting family and had most of these meats on hand. His gluten tolerance wasn't an issue. Although it has been difficult to get him to stick to his new way of eating, he has noticed a difference in the way he feels after her eats something he is not supposed too. My son is almost 10, so I try to let him have some control over his dietary intake.

I also want to report that he is, currently, doing outstanding in school. His grades are ALL up, he has made a couple friends, and he has discovered a love for reading. These are huge steps for him and I am extremely proud. We did have a couple bumps in the road at the beginning of the school year but it seems to have all smoothed out.

I know there may be issues in the future but for now I am going to enjoy these victories with him.

Apr 01, 2012Rating

Dietary changes are helpingby: Sarah

I am the mother of a two and half year old boy who has recently been flagged for Autism and ADHD. We have been receiving treatment from an OT, who feels his symptoms are in fact more in line with SPD.

One of the first things we did upon hearing that he may have these conditions (he is still waiting to be assessed by a Pediatrician) is put him on a gluten and casein free diet. I can't tell you how dramatic the changes have been. He is much more calm and focused, has less tantrums, and is making better eye contact. His daycare teachers cannot believe the change.

I would highly recommend keeping a food diary of everything your child eats, as well as a daily record of his behaviours so that you can establish linkages between the two. We have found this to be very effective, as we have identified many other food culprits this way. Best of luck...

Feb 26, 2012Rating

think of visual processing challengesby: Rosanne

Hi

My daughter had the classic symptoms of adhd. She was clumsy,she had outbursts, hater to read,and her body wanted to move all of the time. When she got older she explained to me that she was seeing double. That alarmed me. I researched and found an optometrist that specialized in visual processing disorder. One assessment and 5 months of therapy and she was reading and her body totally calmed down. She is much easier to live with now lol.

Some children have adhd however auditory processing disorder and visual process disorder might be the problem not adhd. Just make sure you have eliminated other possibilities before accepting a diagnosis.There are therapies for CAPD and VPD that work. I have one child with capd and one with vpd.just something to think about.

Feb 21, 2012Rating

Things I've doneby: Dawn Bryant

I had my son tested for food and environmental allergies and discovered he is allergic to just about everything. After many allergy meds we have found one that doesn't affect his mood and behavior (Zrytec). We also take him to have laser therapy in the summer with out chiropractor. It seems to help him. We have also him on vitamins and other supplements, one is a homeopathic supplement for ADHD. It's called Attend MINI by VAXA. This has been very helpful for him because it seems to "take the edge off" with out changing who he is. This is the main reason I went the homeopathic route...I'm out of time so I will continue this later.

Feb 13, 2012Rating

ADHDby: Anonymous

I'm curious as well. My 4 year old has SPD with a few ASD traits (I know they can mimmick each other). I wonder about ADHD with him.

Feb 11, 2012Rating

ADHDby: Anonymous

We are concerned that our 6 year old son also has ADHD. He also has mild SPD. What are you doing differently now that you have a diagnosis? I would love to hear whatever it is you are doing to help your son. Thanks!